| Joe Mauer |
| #7 |
| Bio/Key Stats |
|
| Key Characteristics |
Since coming into the league in 2004, Joe Mauer has used several different brands of bats including Rawlings, X-Bat, Carolina
Clubs, Max Bat, and Louisville Slugger. Since 2006, he has typically used a Rawlings bats. His most commonly used Rawlings
models include the 456MR, 491B, and most recently a new JM7 model which features a cupped end.
The key characteristics when looking for a "good" Joe Mauer bat are the pine tar application/transfer, the contact pattern,
and the knob markings (or lack thereof).
Pine Tar Application/Transfer
Joe normally applies pine tar further up the handle toward the center brand logo and often times crossing onto it. As the bat
is used the pine tar will gradually transfer down to the area of the handle where his hands are placed when hitting. This
leaves a very noticeable void or separation in the pine tar on the handle very similar to George Brett bats of the 1980s and
1990s.
Contact Pattern
Mauer is a better than average contact hitter and his average shows it. He led both leagues in 2006 with a .347 average and
won the AL Batting Title. He was the first American League catcher to win the batting title and the first catcher overall to win
it since Ernie Lombardi did it in 1942. He followed up his phenomenal 2006 season with a 2007 season that saw him hit a
disappointing .293.
Normally there is a consistently predictable contact pattern for right and left handed batters in which a right handed batter
hitting with the bat label up will have use on the left barrel and a left handed batter hitting with the label up will create use on
the right barrel hitting surface. Joe Mauer, a left handed label up hitter, typically will use both sides of the barrel to hit. This
creates definite and visible use in the form of ball marks, ink transfers, and seam impressions on both sides of the barrel
surface. To the untrained eye, this can appear to be a Joe Mauer bat that was used by someone other than Joe Mauer.
Knob Markings
The only reliable consistency with regard to the knob markings on Joe Mauer's bats is his inconsistency...well, and the factory
markings. Since 2004, Joe has not shown any pattern either way with how he marks his bats for use. Some will have his #7
marked on the knob and some will have it marked on both the knob and barrel end, but the majority of his bats have only the
factory markings. In the cases where Joe has marked the knob with a '7' it is normally done fairly small and in black marker.
Clubs, Max Bat, and Louisville Slugger. Since 2006, he has typically used a Rawlings bats. His most commonly used Rawlings
models include the 456MR, 491B, and most recently a new JM7 model which features a cupped end.
The key characteristics when looking for a "good" Joe Mauer bat are the pine tar application/transfer, the contact pattern,
and the knob markings (or lack thereof).
Pine Tar Application/Transfer
Joe normally applies pine tar further up the handle toward the center brand logo and often times crossing onto it. As the bat
is used the pine tar will gradually transfer down to the area of the handle where his hands are placed when hitting. This
leaves a very noticeable void or separation in the pine tar on the handle very similar to George Brett bats of the 1980s and
1990s.
Contact Pattern
Mauer is a better than average contact hitter and his average shows it. He led both leagues in 2006 with a .347 average and
won the AL Batting Title. He was the first American League catcher to win the batting title and the first catcher overall to win
it since Ernie Lombardi did it in 1942. He followed up his phenomenal 2006 season with a 2007 season that saw him hit a
disappointing .293.
Normally there is a consistently predictable contact pattern for right and left handed batters in which a right handed batter
hitting with the bat label up will have use on the left barrel and a left handed batter hitting with the label up will create use on
the right barrel hitting surface. Joe Mauer, a left handed label up hitter, typically will use both sides of the barrel to hit. This
creates definite and visible use in the form of ball marks, ink transfers, and seam impressions on both sides of the barrel
surface. To the untrained eye, this can appear to be a Joe Mauer bat that was used by someone other than Joe Mauer.
Knob Markings
The only reliable consistency with regard to the knob markings on Joe Mauer's bats is his inconsistency...well, and the factory
markings. Since 2004, Joe has not shown any pattern either way with how he marks his bats for use. Some will have his #7
marked on the knob and some will have it marked on both the knob and barrel end, but the majority of his bats have only the
factory markings. In the cases where Joe has marked the knob with a '7' it is normally done fairly small and in black marker.
|
| Knob Markings |
|
| Hall of Fame Bats |
| Specializing in All Eras of Professional Model Game Used Bats |
| Updated November 7th, 2007 |
| Established in 2006 |